Penn State's football team might be a player or two short at the wide receiver position heading into spring practice sessions, but new head coach James Franklin and his staff still have plenty of skill position talent surrounding young quarterback Christian Hackenberg.

The Nittany Lions are deep at running back position with Zack Zwinak, Bill Belton and Akeel Lynch all returning.

And PSU has a number of productive, experienced (and large) tight ends who will be effective weapons in the passing game.

This week I'll be examining all of the Lions' positions heading into spring drills, which begin in mid-March.

Jesse James & Co. are on the clock …

THE TIGHT ENDS

Returning starters: Jr. Jesse James and R-Jr. Kyle Carter.

Key reserves: So. Adam Breneman.

New faces: R-So. Brent Wilkerson.

Biggest loss: Matt Lehman.

Worth noting: James was a consistent performer a year ago, finishing third on the team in receiving with 25 catches for 333 yards and three scores. The depth at the position was affected by Lehman's season-ending knee injury in Week 1 and Carter also had to play through a significant elbow injury for a large chunk of 2013. Carter, who finished with 18 catches for 222 yards and touchdown last year, was a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 2012. Breneman, the Cedar Cliff graduate, caught touchdown passes in the Lions' last three games, including a 68-harder early in the Wisconsin upset that set the tone for the contest. Don't forget about Wilkerson, who missed all of last season with a back injury.

The Bottom Line: Former head coach Bill O'Brien loved to use multiple tight end sets. Now let's see what James Franklin and his offensive assistants will do with all of these intriguing options. One of the top players in PSU's 2014 recruiting class, 6-5, 240-pound tight end Mike Gesicki, could be a factor in 2014 as well. He begins practicing in August.